Nut purchases are a very personal thing, and I think it’s important for you to know what you’re looking for before purchasing them. This article will help guide you through the nuts section of your local grocery store.
Size and color
Size and color. If you’re buying nuts fresh, look for those that are bright and shiny with no blemishes or discoloration. If you have to choose between two different sizes, go with the smaller ones–they tend to be fresher than larger ones because they haven’t been sitting around as long before being sold.
Flavor. A good way to tell if your nuts are old is by smelling them–if they smell stale or moldy at all (even just a little), move on! You want fresh-smelling nuts that taste delicious when eaten raw or roasted in the oven (butter pecans are my favorite).
Storage tip: Keep your roasted nuts sealed tightly in an air-tight container so they don’t get stale too quickly; otherwise store them in paper bags inside a cabinet away from heat sources like stovetops or radiators where temperatures can fluctuate throughout day/night cycles which could cause condensation build up on exposed surfaces leading toward spoilage over time if left unchecked!
If you’re buying nuts in bulk, store them in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. You may also want to invest in an anti-oxidant to help preserve the quality of your nuts and keep them fresh longer.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a place where there are nut trees, try to get them from local farmers. They’ll be fresher and cheaper than any you can find at the grocery store.
You can also use the nut’s oil as a base for salad dressings, sauces and marinades. Nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They’re also high in fiber, protein and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.
Nuts are a great source of protein, as they contain all nine essential amino acids. They’re also high in fiber and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids. The easiest way to use nuts is in snack form: toss them with dried fruit or yogurt for a quick and easy trail mix; chop them up for salads or soups; or add them to baked goods for extra crunch!
Flavor and smell
- A nut should smell like a nut. You should be able to detect the aroma of freshly roasted nuts in your bag of nuts, and it will be pleasant to do so.
- A good-quality nut should taste fresh and not rancid at all–this means that they are still edible and haven’t been sitting around for too long before being sold to you! If you’ve ever had an old piece of bread or some stale peanut butter before (or even old popcorn), then you know what I mean when I say that old food isn’t very good at all! The same goes for raw nuts: if they’re allowed to sit around too long without being eaten by someone else first (like squirrels), then this can lead many problems including mold growth on those poor little things which will make them inedible no matter how hard you try later down the line…or even worse yet…poisonous if consumed regularly over time! Yikes!
So, the next time you’re out shopping for some new and exciting raw nuts, be sure to check the expiration date on the package. If it has one, then use this as a guide for when they should no longer be consumed by humans (although squirrels may still enjoy them).
If you find any mold on them, then don’t buy them. Mold is not something that should be found on a healthy and tasty snack!
The next time you’re out shopping for some new and exciting raw nuts, be sure to check the expiration date on the package. If it has one, then use this as a guide for when they should no longer be consumed by humans (although squirrels may still enjoy them). If you’re shopping for nuts that aren’t sealed in any kind of package (such as walnuts), then be sure to smell them before buying them. This can tell you if they’ve gone bad or not…and it’s also a good idea to look for mold on the outside of the actual nuts themselves (as described above).
If you find any mold on them, then don’t buy them. Mold is not something that should be found on a healthy and tasty snack!
If you’re shopping for nuts that aren’t sealed in any kind of package (such as walnuts), then be sure to smell them before buying them. This can tell you if they’ve gone bad or not…and it’s also a good idea to look for mold on the outside of the actual nuts themselves (as described above). If you find any mold on them, then don’t buy them. Mold is not something that should be found on a healthy and tasty snack!
Freshness and taste
- Look for nuts that aren’t cracked or broken. If you can smell the nuts, they’ve likely gone stale. If you can’t smell them at all, they might be rancid and should be avoided.
- A stale nut will taste bitter and rancid–and it may also have a strong odor to go along with it! If you notice this in your fresh bag of mixed nuts, stay away from them!
- The best way to tell if your nut has gone bad? Use your nose: if there’s an overpowering smell coming from the bag or container you’re holding in front of your face right now (and no matter how badly we want our favorite snack), then chances are good that something went wrong somewhere along the line–and those poor little guys need saving before they get eaten by someone else (or worse).
If you think your nuts have gone bad, it’s best to pour them out and discard them. They’ll give off a rancid odor if they’ve spoiled, and nothing will change that (not even cooking!). You’ll also want to make sure that the nuts are stored in airtight containers with as much oxygen removed as possible so that they don’t go stale too quickly.
If you’re in the market for some fresh mixed nuts, be sure to check out your local farmer’s market or grocery store. You might even want to consider growing your own: it’s not as hard as you think!
If you’re not sure how to tell if your mixed nuts have gone bad, there are a few ways you can figure it out. First of all, take a look at the bag or container that they came in: if there’s any mold growing on it, toss those suckers right away. You don’t want to be eating moldy nuts!
If the nuts look fine, then you can do a little sniff test. If they give off a rancid odor, then chances are good that something went wrong somewhere along the line–and those poor little guys need saving before they get eaten by someone else (or worse).
If your mixed nuts smell ok, then it’s time to take a look at the texture. If they’re chunky or crushed up into pieces, then they’re probably just fine. If they look like powder, though–and especially if there are any black spots in the powder–then you should toss them immediately before someone gets sick.
